The Indian hockey team lost 4-3 against Spain in a shootout in its third FIH Pro League 2025-26 match of the Hobart leg at the Tasmania Hockey Centre on Tuesday. The score was tied at 1-1 at full-time.
This was India’s second successive shootout loss in the FIH Pro League after going down 5-4 against Australia in their previous match.
Maninder Singh (19’) put India, eighth in the men’s hockey rankings, in the lead before Bruno Font (59’) scored a late equaliser for world No. 7 Spain and forced a penalty shootout.
Spain started strongly, controlling early possession and testing the Indian defence. They won their first penalty corner in the fourth minute, but the drag-flick was comfortably saved by Indian goalkeeper Mohith.
The Spaniards thought they had taken the lead in the eighth minute, but Jose Basterra’s goal was disallowed.
Shrugging off the pressure, India earned a penalty corner in the 14th minute, but Amit Rohidas’s drag-flick was denied by Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado, keeping the first quarter goalless.
The breakthrough arrived in the 19th minute for India. Skipper Hardik Singh dispossessed a Spanish player, turned brilliantly and set up Maninder, who smashed a tomahawk into the net to give India a 1-0 lead.
Spain immediately responded by winning a penalty corner, but Pepe Cunill’s shot was saved by Suraj Karkera.
Karkera pulled off another stunning save moments later to deny Basterra. Abhishek also came close after a superb dribble, but India eventually held a slender 1-0 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, Spain pressed high while India looked to absorb the pressure. Spain’s persistence earned them back-to-back penalty corners, both expertly saved by Mohith.
As the quarter wound down, Spain was reduced to 10 men following a green card for Fortuno. India nearly capitalised on the advantage in the 44th minute, but Calzado made a tight save against Jugraj Singh’s penalty corner strike.
The final quarter saw India reduced to 10 men after Sanjay received a green card in the 45th minute.
Spain quickly won a penalty corner, but Karkera stood tall once again. As Spain pushed desperately for an equaliser, India found space on the counter.
Vishnukant Singh won a penalty corner in the 52nd minute, but Rohidas missed the target. Minutes later, Rajinder Singh’s drag-flick also failed to find the back of the net.
With India trying to run down the clock, a costly defensive lapse in the 59th minute allowed Bruno Font to score a superb equaliser.
Spain won three consecutive penalty corners in the frantic final 13 seconds, but the Indian defence held firm to end regulation time at 1-1.
In the ensuing shootout, misses from Abhishek and Hardik Singh proved costly as India lost 4-3, walking away with a single point from the hard-fought encounter.
India, who are winless after seven matches in the FIH Pro League this season, will face Australia in their final game of the Hobart leg on Wednesday.
read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/fih-pro-league-2025-26-men-hockey-india-vs-spain-match-2-report
